ASM International is a non-profit institute providing metallurgical research information to industries throughout the world. Its headquarters building, a nationally known architectural structure, consists of over 50,000 square feet of office, administration and training facilities for representatives of industry.ARCADIS recently completed a 9,000 square foot renovation to create to a state-of-the-art metallography lab complex with support classrooms.
The complex consists of a metallography lab, lecture lab, computer lab, furnace lab, classrooms, office and support space for the equipment. For this complex to function properly, complete flexibility of the support utilities had to be provided. These utilities include new potable and deionized water supply, sanitary, oxygen, argon, nitrogen, compressed air, multi-phase circuits with special line conditioning and exhaust/make-up air systems associated with fume hoods. All utilities were designed to be concealed yet easily accessible to accommodate future tie-ins and alterations.
A special interactive audiovisual system was installed to provide instant viewing between the microscopes and projection screens in the lecture lab.
Specialized equipment was used for the labs and was mounted on lab casework or left freestanding as required. This equipment included a SEM gun, cut-off machines, tensile testers, various research microscopes, video macroscopes, microhardness testers, grind/polishing stations, heat treating furnaces, computers, VCRs and docu-cameras.
A special lobby was also developed within the complex to allow for student breakouts and to display manufacturer's literature.
